Toole wrote a book at the age of 16, Neon Bible, and then went on to get a master's from Columbia University, and teaching at several different schools, including Hunter College, in NY. Originally from New Orleans, he eventually moved back to live with his parents and teach at Dominican College. He spent a lot of time in the French Quarter, where he drew many of his inspirations, and eventually wrote his masterpiece, Confederacy of Dunces. Toole committed suicide at the age of 31, and both of his works were published posthumously, after they were brought to Walker Percy's attention by Toole's mother.
If you would like some extra reading, check out Percy's The Moviegoer. Both books are sure to make you feel weird, in a good way.
